Mrs M
yoda76LOCK UP YOUR CHILDREN; THE WORLD IS NOT SAFE
July 2nd 2007 02:45
Last week an 11 year old girl was assaulted in a park as she walked home after school. Thankfully the man was scared off by the girl’s mother before the girl was further assaulted or kidnapped.
The reports say that the man, described as aged in his 30’s, approached and blocked the path of the girl who felt threatened and screamed.
Detective Inspector Darren Newman from Rosehill Local Area Command says that children, if at all possible, avoid walking alone or at the very least avoid secluded and unpopular areas.
Is it really much more dangerous in today’s world than when we all grew up? Or is it just an adult’s perspective, media propaganda and parental paranoia?
I remember when I was 9 I told my mother I was old enough to walk to the shops by myself. She agreed. And if I was old enough to do that then I was old enough to walk to school.
Most times I did have a walking buddy but that wasn’t always the case. And I never ran into any trouble.
Whereas, my sister-in-law didn’t let her son catch the bus or train to school until last year; when he was in Year 11. This year he drives himself to school.
When I started high school I was catching two buses to get to school everyday. I had to learn to keep my wits about me, not just from someone who might nab me, but from other older school kids too. Basically, learning street smarts.
How does a child learn to be street smart if they are not allowed out onto the street? Don’t get me wrong, of course the safety of our children is most important, but I just find it frustrating that I can’t let my children out into the world so they can learn to navigate it themselves.
They can’t play in the street anymore, they can’t explore their neighbourhood, we are more wary of people around us (including our neighbours) and now they can’t walk to school.
So what is a good age to let children walk to school; because age does not equate with experience.
If children are constantly restricted and have the fear of God put into them about the surroundings they live in, what kind of adults will that make them?
The reports say that the man, described as aged in his 30’s, approached and blocked the path of the girl who felt threatened and screamed.
Detective Inspector Darren Newman from Rosehill Local Area Command says that children, if at all possible, avoid walking alone or at the very least avoid secluded and unpopular areas.
Is it really much more dangerous in today’s world than when we all grew up? Or is it just an adult’s perspective, media propaganda and parental paranoia?
I remember when I was 9 I told my mother I was old enough to walk to the shops by myself. She agreed. And if I was old enough to do that then I was old enough to walk to school.
Most times I did have a walking buddy but that wasn’t always the case. And I never ran into any trouble.
Whereas, my sister-in-law didn’t let her son catch the bus or train to school until last year; when he was in Year 11. This year he drives himself to school.
When I started high school I was catching two buses to get to school everyday. I had to learn to keep my wits about me, not just from someone who might nab me, but from other older school kids too. Basically, learning street smarts.
How does a child learn to be street smart if they are not allowed out onto the street? Don’t get me wrong, of course the safety of our children is most important, but I just find it frustrating that I can’t let my children out into the world so they can learn to navigate it themselves.
They can’t play in the street anymore, they can’t explore their neighbourhood, we are more wary of people around us (including our neighbours) and now they can’t walk to school.
So what is a good age to let children walk to school; because age does not equate with experience.
If children are constantly restricted and have the fear of God put into them about the surroundings they live in, what kind of adults will that make them?
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
But then, my father was one of the most paranoid Dads going around - I was rarely allowed out of the house - an djust walking to my mate's house (10 minute walk uop a main road) was an issue until I had almost finished High School
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
I really don't know if it's far more dangerous now than when I was a kid. I remember, I used to walk around on my own quite a lot, and even at night with a couple of friends which was a really stupid thing to do. A couple of cars would stop and ask us to get in but they would always go off when we said no. I remember the worst time was when I was walking home from school through this deserted area. There was a van that pulled up, a man stood and was waiting for me to reach the end of the path - I don't know why. So I just ran off in the other direction. He followed me but I managed to hide behind some bush.
But if I had a kid, I would definitely be one of those who wouldn't let their children out alone. I just wouldn't want to risk it.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
my father was one of the most paranoid Dads going around
Hi Aimzster,
It is a difficult situation....one that I don't have the answer for yet.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
When I taught scuba diving, I always had to break up the parents from the kids. The parents would interfere and do everything for the kids instead of letting them do it themselves. Ditto the husbands doing everything for their wives. I finally ended up having a private word with the overprotective types, telling them: "Unless you can guarantee that you are going to be there to do everything for (Junior, Missus, etc.) for the rest of their lives, I suggest you let them learn for themselves. I know you love them, but you are hurting them by not letting them learn."
That always did the trick.
Comment by Candice
It's a hard one. I don't know that things have really changed but maybe our awareness and the media reports are out there more these days.
Either way, kids are definitely not 'left to run around in the streets' anymore. I guess that's part of the reason we moved out from the city. I know I'll be able to let my daughter ride her bike up and down our street like I did as a kid.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
My nephew (the one I mentioned in my post) plans on going to Europe next year. He doesn't know how to get around Sydney by public transport, he plans on getting around Europe. And I can't say anything because I'll look mean spirited. Aaarrrggghhhh!!!!
I've tried a couple of times to say something but I was usually met with "wait until you're kids are teenagers, you'll see". So generally I get dismissed because what would I know. Well I know which train to catch that's for sure.
Hi Candice,
Unfortunately for me I love the city too much.
Thanks for the visit ladies.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
But ever since doing my uni degree I am far more acutely aware of how the media works and know that when there is a hot topic they are all over it to amplify the severity of it.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I just hope Europe doesn't "kick" some navigational skills into your nephew...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I agree with you totally on this one. How can I child learn street smarts if they're closeted away from the world??
It wasn't that long ago I was reading a story about how the participation rates in football is falling in young kids because their parents aren't letting them play because it's "too dangerous". Kids have been playing sport for a hundred years, and suddenly it's too dangerous? Spare me.
I don't want to grow old in a world where youngsters are coming through the ranks who are scared of everything. That's no way to live.
Kylie
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Hi Kylie,
I'd like to know that when my kids grow up they know how to look after themselves.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
My friend and I were discussing this very thing last week. I think that the "information age" has created a paranoid society.
I worked with family violence unit for many years. Family violence for example is present in 1 in 4 families in the US and research sustantiates this. Up until this point, family violence laws had not "teeth" and especially if you were a woman...the laws did not protect you. In addition we just were not able to track it previous to 1994 (Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson) because people weren't reporting it to the police. so sad that it took someone "famous" to illuminate this widepsread problem.
I bring up the family violence issue for this reason....Internationally family violence is the number 1 childhood health issue behind poverty. Children are much more likely to be assaulted by a family member then by a total stranger. We spend so much time and effort teaching our kids about strangers but not about "creepy Uncle...."
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Mis
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
You are absolutely right about family violence and I agree with you about teaching kids about their bodies and exactly who is and who isn't allowed to look and touch their bodies.
I've also read stats that say that a woman is more likely to be raped by someone she knows...so it's definitely not only strangers to be on the look out for, you are absolutely right.
There is an organisation here in Australia called NAPCAN and they are currently trying to encourage people to get involved with their local government to raise awareness of child abuse and provide/promote programs to that affect and show how they are being child friendly.
And I think I may have come up with an idea.
Thanks for the visit Mis.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
This is a scary thought. Growing up I was never allowed to walk anywhere or ride on the road but that was more to do with my mothers paranoia of me being hit by a car than anything else.
I have ULTRA strict and paranoid parents - I went overseas and came home for a visit after having lived there for nearly a year by myself.... and had a curfew of 1am and was even banned from going to a few events. I was 22 ! None of this did me any good when I was growing up because I just used to lie about where I was going and what I was doing and at times when I did find myself in trouble I couldn`t call them because the consequences would have been MAJOR!
In my mind I would prefer to know where my kid is and what they are doing rather than them sneaking around and something happening without my knowledge.
Not being a parent it is difficult for me to say but I reckon I would try to educate my child without instilling fear in them - I want my kids to explore and discover the world but I want them to do it with a level head - just have their wits about them.
Definitely your point about self-defence is a must do. There is only so much you can do for your child before it starts to become to their detriment... making the world pretty and cocooning them won`t do them any good in the long run.
ash